SCOTT PILGRIM Conquers New Jersey!

Last month, Edgar Wright's SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD test screened in Las Vegas. The reaction was very positive. Wednesday night, a slightly tweaked version test screened in New Jersey. The reaction was ecstatic. Here's one reader's opinion...

Hey Harry,
I've written two reviews for AICN previously (Righteous Kill & The Love Guru) under the name "Jersey Jedi", and I was lucky enough to get into an early screening of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. My review is as follows...
Well it turns out New Jersey isn’t the wretched hive of scum and villainy that everyone makes it out to be. What event could possibly have instigated such an unexpected turnaround? Why the second-ever screening of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World!
The prior reviews run on AICN had the basic premise described pretty soundly, so I’ll try and tread wholly new ground. The only thing I have to regurgitate from the past two reviews is how great of a set-up the opening scenes are: The 8-bit Universal logo with MIDI soundtrack, followed by the Zelda sound clips and HUD descriptions of all the characters as we meet them is not only the geekiest way possible to introduce the main players, but perfectly effective in settling you into the ADD-addled world that Edgar has created here. You just know you’re in for an awesome ride.
Getting the obvious out of the way first, Michael Cera stars as Michael Cera playing Michael Cera… but going under the pseudonym “Scott Pilgrim”. Cera’s shtick got old just about when he started driving around New York City and miraculously finding parking spots right in front of uber-popular clubs with Catharine Keener’s daughter from 40-Year-Old Virgin. However, in this case, Edgar Wright’s editing and shooting style is just so hyperactive and clearly the centerpiece of the flick, that Cera’s typical awkward bumbling delivery doesn’t even get a second to breathe. Congratulations Mr. Cera, you may have just gotten your second wind.
Having said that, I’m sure there are plenty of readers out there thinking “I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand that dude and seeing another flick with him as the lead sounds about as appealing as experiencing “One Guy, One Cup” again.” (shudder) Well I’m happy to report that literally every other actor in this flick steals the spotlight from the moment they’re on screen. Ellen Wong is just plain adorable as Knives Chau, Chris Evans makes us forget Fantastic Four as Hollywood badass Lucas Lee, Anna Kendrick picks what has to be one of the best follow-ups to an Oscar nom as Stacey Pilgrim and Alison Pill is straight up wryly hilarious as the Sex Bob-Omb drummer Kim Pine.
Out of this cavalcade of scenery-chewers, there are two that deserve special mention. First, Brandon Routh just KILLS as the vegan evil ex Todd Ingram. While the characterization and dialogue for this psychic-powered douchebag is the driving force behind his awesomeness, casting Routh was just an outstanding choice. Much like his cameo in Zach and Miri Make a Porno, this unabashedly plays off our preconceptions of him as a straight-laced nice guy to brilliant effect.
But the true star of the flick is Kieran Culkin as Scott’s gay room/bed-mate Wallace. His delivery, coupled with the sight gags that Edgar executes, are the non-action highlights of the movie. I really don’t want to spoil anything, so I won’t go into much detail. Just keep an eye out for a scene where Knives shows up at Scott & Wallace’s place, and Wallace helps Scott escape in he most obtuse way possible.
So, the casting for this flick was top-notch… but that’s not the reason any self-respecting movie buff would be interested in Scott Pilgrim. We were there to see Edgar Wright follow-up his kick ass one-two punch of Shawn of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. And good science does he kill it in every way imaginable. What Shawn was to horror and Fuzz was to buddy cop/action, Scott Pilgrim is to comics and video games. Given the already hyperactive nature of those two mediums, Wright righteously took his already frenetic style and shot it will 10 hits of adrenaline straight in the face.
The 7½ fight scenes are all utterly unique with a gleeful disregard or any semblance of realism or physical logic. While the effects were still a little rough, most were much closer to completion as compared to the previous reviewers’ impressions (no visible green screens, just some wires to be taken out and some effects to be polished). They are packed to the brim with comic-based conventions, over-the-top sound effects and Nintendo weaponry (at one point Scott’s other half, Ramona, wields a massive sledgehammer along with the requisite Donkey Kong sound effects). It’s difficult to put into words how truly inimitable the style of these fights are, as well as the movie as a whole.
The closest movie that I could compare it to would be the infamous Speed Racer. Now before all of you haters cry blasphemy, hear me out: While the movie certainly had its detractors (and I honestly can’t blame them, despite completely disagreeing with them), the one thing everyone can admit is that the Wachowskis executed an unequivocally original vision. Even if you thought that vision was utter garbage and fundamentally flawed, they wanted a living cartoon and they executed it perfectly.
Edgar Wright has done the same, but with that sharp wit and geek-edge that Wright’s previous collaborations have been known for. I have no doubt that this is exactly the crazy ride that Wright set out to make, and if that doesn’t make you giddy with excitement, check your damn pulse.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is the second coming of the nerd Christ. Be prepared.

Plant? Nope. The movie is apparently that fucking good - and could, with additional tweaks, be getting better. Here's some more effusion from the Twittersphere.

@beefyfunk [non-haiku] saw Scott Pilgrim vs. the World focus group tonight, great flick (to-be) http://digs.by/1V8o (Love Aubrey Plaza!)
about 1 hour ago from Digsby
@CraigeryMontoya Saw Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. 'Twas epic.
about 1 hour ago from web
@PTAnderson Scott Pilgrim vs The World was unbelievably good. So stoked I saw it before it'll be cool to like that movie. Remember this tweet hipsters!
about 1 hour ago from web
@Bilal_Mian @radiomaru I saw an early preview of the ScottPilgrim Vs The World tonight and have to say it was AMAZING. Never read the comics, now i do.
@skinnyboyBALKI @radiomaru Just saw Scott Pilgrim in a test screening. Edgar Wright did your books tremendous justice.
@Erock88 Writing up a piece on "Scott Pilgrim" tonight. So effing good...
about 2 hours ago fro
@Daredevil327 I just came back from the special sneak preview of Scott Pilgrim, and I think that it was one of the best films of the year! #fb
@MaddenOnRookie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World was amazing...hipster-indie sin city
@Bilal_Mian Just saw an early screening of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. Michael Cera's best movie to date. Original, hilarious, witty, and great action.
@JonRivera Just caught a surprise test screening of ScottPilgrim Vs.the World! Fantastic!
@Christoff679 Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Heard of it?@brendonbigley ur gonna love this. My dad saw a preview. he said its incredible
@L2BT Scott Pilgrim was the nerdiest movie I've ever seen and it was awesome. Edgar Wright did an amazing job. What a fun film.
@skinnyboyBALKI @edgarwright Just saw Scott Pilgrim in NJ, all I can say is wow. You surpassed my already lofty expectations. So I thank you.
@CRusso815 Went to a VERY early screening of Scott Pilgrimvs. The World w/ @Erock88. The geekiest movie I've ever seen. AWESOME http://is.gd/97E7Y

that im utterly frustrated with todays movie output, that they dont make em like they used to and that hollywood has changed for the worse. my favourite movies are The Shawshank Redemption, Dances with wolves and goodfellas and the last good film I saw was Fish Tank. Tonight Im watching 1987's No way Out with Kev Costner (never seen it) and the worst film I've seen recently was The Invention of lying, god awful and not at all funny beyond the first few mins. I also believed I was superman when i was a kid and jumped off my roof to proove it. I broke my ankle.

Read Caesar's commentaries and there's a line where he bemoans the younger generation and their lack of wit compared to yesteryear. Point being, there's always good stuff put out all the time, within the system and outside of it. To write off everything everyone's doing right now just because you're too lazy to do the legwork is pretty weak.

but i liked fish tank and other assorted movies, i just dont like alot more than i do like whereas in the 80's and 90's i liked more than what I didnt like. the phrase "burger of the week" is often said about todays major output, meaning there seems to be an over reliance on cheese, well you know what i mean, about waterworld. its always called a flop, a major flop etc etc but the film covered it's production cost and then some. and its not a bad film.

With Inception in July and this in August, this summer might not be a waste after all. If I can re-watch this half the times that I've re-watched almost any episode of Wright's Spaced, then I've found my new favorite movie to force friends to watch.

If this latest Wright masterpiece is as similar to Speed Racer as this reviewer is saying, than count me the most pumped of anyone out there. Speed Racer was incredible so screw all you haters. Here's to hoping Scott Pilgrim gives me the same unforgettable hyperreal experience, can't freakin wait!!!

no way out was a pretty good remake and I thought it had a decent twist in the ending. Dances With Wolves is pretty amazing, as is Open Range. I also think Wyatt Earp was very underrated. Hated The Postman, though. Boring as shit being painted white.

I'm so sick of him playing the same fucking character in every movie. Booooooorrrrrr-innnnnnnng! <BR>
I loved him as George Michael on Arrested Development, but he has grown progressively more twee and annoying since then.

Anybody out there that hasn't seen this show need to run to their nearest Best Buy and pick it up immediately. Some really choice comedic moments throughout. Everyone should love Brian, the artist who rents downstairs. And that doesn't mean he's gay.

I don't think the AD movie is ever going to happen. And looking at the series, I don't see how a movie would even be possible. I love the show and would love to see some closure. I especially need to see George-Michael and Maebe get it on finally. But I'm not sure that the scatalogical nature of the show and its particular brand of humor can be adapted to a film without falling into the Sex and the City movie trap of just re-creating moments from the show for the big-screen.

They hold screenings there all the time.
And to YackBacker - Righteous Kill was fucking miserable AND the screening staff were douchbags about it. The cut of Love Guru that I saw actually had a few decent laughs in between the retarded stuff (piss buckets). But they cut a LOT of it from the theatrical version, i guess because it was too racy.

The comic was brilliant. The casting (reservations about Cera aside) seems utterly perfect. And I don't think I have ever seen a more perfect marriage of a piece of material with a director's style. So yeah, I think Edgar is gonna knock this one out of the park. And every single fanboy on earth is going to fall hopelessly in love with Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

There are plenty of actors who have the same line delivery through every role they have. Does that make them bad actors? Yeah, probably... but it doesn't really seem to stop people from becoming stars.

i totally agree with you, sepp, about people who complain that their is 'nothing good out there anymore..'<br><br>people say that shit about music all the time too. "everything sucks now!" while they're just listening to the radio. good stuff out there. in fact, there is probably more good artistic things being done than before... you just have to look for it.

My roommate got offered the tickets for the screening of "Upcoming Comedy film" and we brushed it aside as the last offers were the aforementioned Love Guru and Righteous Kill, so we assumed it would be more of the same unwatchable crap that they usually offer up for free screenings... I'm kicking myself for missing out on this. Damn!

<p>AWESOME! I must be a super-ultra-hipster since my initial young vocabulary included the bloops and bleets of PONG and then slowly built up to the 'blauggcch' of those damn ADVENTURE ducks...er...dragons.</p><p>You would be wise to fear my MAIL ORDER MONSTERS and beware my spell knowledge gained from hours of ZORK II: THE WIZARD OF FROBOZZ! I know all the F-words of power!</P>

A janitor who is an ex black ops specialist! . . . throw in the fact he has an imaginary donkey friend he calls Mr Jack Ass (i miss seein the word ass in Loony Tunes)... the love interest is Ms Coldfront, a school teacher whose nipples are always hard and the main villain is the Trash Man, a wealthy business man who wears overalls... the plot is the Janitor cleanin up crime in his city... im waitin Hollywood

...The only movie of his ill ever watch again is 3000 Miles to Graceland... a black Elvis? Howie Long flies a helicopter? Ice "fuck the police" T spinnin upside down shootin people? Courtney Cox a hoe fo sho?... good times

These comic books (and their ilk) seem to emerge almost entirely from the author's subconcious. While they may make for some interesting afternoon reading, I'm curious to see how they're adapted to film. Random! Crazy! Seems the antithesis of the very disciplined art of filmmaking. However, I've liked Wright's work in the past, so maybe this will surprise me.

Beacause THAT is Wright's masterpiece. Yeah, season 2 was fun and Shaun/Fuzz were very good but they lack the perfection of that beautiful first seven episodes of Spaced. Spaced is Edgar Wright's Alien, his Creepshow, his Return of the Living Dead, a work of complete and utter genius.

If you've read the books, that is a pretty awesome description for things to come. Just telling you to wait and see. I think you'll be surprised by the fights if they stay at least partially similar to the over-the-top insanity of the books.

Best Brian line: "It's so incredible. An entire empire...brought down by little, furry creatures." I also really loved how Wright would keep having people stay at their apartment and then the screen would title ONE HOUR LATER with the O being represented by a wine glass or an ashtray. Just one fucking awesome show from beginning to end. The joy of Series 2 is getting more of the Pegg/Frost comraderie that has manifested itself into its own comedic monster.

Cera actually does kick ass pretty hard. It's really awesome to see a lanky kid like him performing the kind of moves he does. Especially the last fight when he's wielding the fiery samurai sword.
As for Ramona, Winstead is gorgeous. However, I'm not sure how she was portrayed in the comics, but in this she's almost always got this bored/semi-conscious look on her face that just made me like Knives better. Maybe it's just cause I've got a thing for asian ladies (and her name is FUCKING KNIVES!) but I felt like Ramona was just kinda... there.